Labour has got a problem looming…with their constant attacks on Asians.

Phil Twyford though was busily telling people at the caucus retreat in Rotorua that this was Labour’s Orewa moment. That remains to be seen, but what happened for National after Orewa was it increased its vote, but more importantly increased its donations as Kiwi voters sought a party that believed in one law for all.

Labour’s problem is their policy a) can’t be implemented and is nothing more than dog-whistling slogans and b) it creates segregation based on race.

Which is a little strange for a party that happily accepts money from donors with chink sounding names.

[C]harter schools are not successful, particularly in reference to minority groups, particularly in reference to low-income groups. They are not successful in the United States. How can we then expect that they are going to be successful here in New Zealand?

Talk to Associate Professor Damon Salesa of the University of Auckland, who spent 10 years in the United States and whose children attended some of the local charter schools there. He will tell you that, as far as he is concerned, charter schools are not successful, particularly in reference to minority groups, particularly in reference to low-income groups. They are not successful in the United States. How can we then expect that they are going to be successful here in New Zealand?

And yet, here he is again, at the opening of a South Auckland charter school on Wednesday Read more »

The Auckland Pacific Sector of the New Zealand Labour Party met last night to discuss and rank the Labour leadership candidates. After much debate and discussion it was carried by a unanimous vote that the leadership candidates be ranked in the following order:

Labour is immensely concerned that members of an Auckland Pacific Pentecostal Church are being signed up as National Party members without their full understanding, Labour’s Pacific Affairs spokesperson Su’a William Sio says.

“Congregation members are being approached by a person claiming to represent National who is convincing them to sign forms they don’t fully comprehend.

“They are then being sent letters addressed to them personally saying they are now members of National and must now vote for them

I doubt that this is even true. Where are the letters? Show us the letters? Read more »

Yesterday I wrote about the condescension of David Cunliffe when speaking to Pasifika audiences.

Today in the NZ Herald they discuss how Pasifika have found their political voice and no longer just vote red.

Could this mean that Labour’s fortress of South Auckland has broken walls now?

For a long time – generations, even – the Pasifika vote has always gone to the party draped in red.

In the old days, vans and buses were organised all around South Auckland to make sure as many people as possible turned up to the voting booths. The majority of those Tongan, Samoan, Niuean, Fijian, Cook Island and Tuvaluan voters were completely decked out in red, holding red balloons and wearing red lei.

These days, however, something is changing within the community.

Although there is still a very strong Labour following, there is now growing support for National, as well as a shift to vote for other parties – something almost never heard of before amongst Pasifika.

Community leaders and seasoned politicians admit that people are starting to look at what other parties are offering; meaning the Pacific vote is starting to look a lot more colourful this election.

Over the past few months, the National party has gone in strong into places that have traditionally been Labour’s stronghold and, in earlier years, would have seen anyone in blue practically booted out.

There is NO excuse for children to be carrying knives and fighting at school or in the street. And to use knives is absolutely repugnant.

Women around the world felt a chill of fear when they heard the excuse “Boys will be boys” given by an Indian MP when villagers raped a girl and then hung her from a tree. This excuse was also given for another pack rape, when an MP stated that boys had to learn what was OK to do or not do, and raping was part of that learning – and again, boys will be boys.

We are fearful when we realise that that attitude also exists here in New Zealand. Read more »